ODSG ISSUES ABATEMENT ULTIMATUM TO OPERATORS OF WASTE PLASTIC SITE, ABATTOIR
1
0
1
0
Ondo State Environmental Protection Agency , O’SEPA has issued a notice of fourteen and three days to the operators of used cartons and plastic waste site as well as Toplad Meat and Abattoir at Lafe and Olukayode Oshinle area of Akure respectively to abate their premises of environmental nuisance arising from their activities or risk being sealed up.
The exercise was in line with the Agency’s Law 1993 that empowers the agency to protect , preserve and conserve the environment for sustainable development.
The Administrative Secretary of the Environmental watchdog, Princess Korede Giwa gave the ultimatum during a monitoring exercise carried out by the Agency Enforcement Team in Akure the state capital.
Princess Giwa who led the Enforcement Team of the Agency said the exercise became necessary due to series of complaints from their neighbours over environmental nuisance with their operations, especially pollution.
She frowned at the audacity of the two operators doing businesses as usual in unhygienic environment despite being served abatement notices that have already lapsed, arguing that the situation could lead to cholera pandemic and a breeding place for rodents causing Lassa Fever in the state.
At the premises being used for Carton and Plastic Waste dump and Recycling which was the team at Large, the situation was an eyesore.
To abate the nuisance, the agency immediately ordered the owner, Mr Joseph Osabiyi to relocate his business from the built-up environment to a new site far out of the town within fourteen days.
Although, the operator of the Carton and Plastic Waste site, Mr Osabiyi made spirited efforts to appeal to the Agency to extend the ultimatum given to him to evacuate the premises, the agency insisted that he must do the needful within the stipulated time.
Osabiyi attributed the problem the business is having to epileptic power supply, incessant breakdown of the engine being used for cracking and compressing the plastics, coupled with failure of haulage vehicles that usually transport the plastics to warehouses in Lagos.
Responding, the Administrative Secretary of O’SEPA who rejected the appeal said ordinarily the agency came out to seal up the place because the operator have failed to do the needful by obeying the initial abatement notice and several warmings.
At the Toplad Meet Shop and Abattoir Olukoyode Oshinle area, the leader of the team Princess Korede Giwa expressed disappointment over the failure of the operator of the venture to clean up the environment considering the delicate nature of the work being carried out after several warmings.
Consequently, the Administrative Secretary who promised to return to the facility for another inspection, gave the operator till Saturday to do the needful.
Those who accompanied the Administrative Secretary, include the Director of Pollution, Oladipo Obanoyen, Director of Administration and Finance, Mrs Ayomide Adejoke and Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Prince Bolu Ajijo.
About The Author
